Wrapping apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for automatically wrapping a multi-layer stack of panels within a sheet of paper without moving the stack of panels during the major part of the wrapping operation. The apparatus has sequentially operated mechanisms to fold, glue and hold the paper during the operation.

United States Patent Herrellet al.

[151, 3,685,253 51 Aug. 22, 1972 [54] WRAPPING APPARATUS [72] Inventors:Robert E. Herrell, Wabash, Ind;

Stephen G. Moore, Tampa, Fla.

[73] Assignee: The Celotex Corporation, Tampa,

Fla.

22 Filed: Aug.26, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 67,032

[51] Int. Cl .Q..B65b ll/0 2, B6 5b 11/12 [58] Field of Search ..53/209,218, 222, 228, 230

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,917,887 12/1959 Jackson..53/230 3,327,452 6/ 1967 Cranston, Jr. et al. ..53/218 3,307,3263/1967 Krebs ..53/228'X 3,110,143 ll/l963 Schooler ..53/230 X 3,338,0258/1967 Harrison et a1. ..53/230 Primary ExaminerTheron E. CondonAssistant Examiner-Neil Abrams Attorney-James W. Grace [57] I ABSTRACTAn apparatus for automatically wrapping a multi-layer stack of panelswithin a sheet of paper without moving the stack of panels during themajor part of the wrapping operation. The apparatus has sequentiallyoperated mechanisms to fold, glue and hold the paper during theoperation.

10 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTED 3 685, 253

sum 2 OF 6 PAIENTEDwnzzmz v 3.685.253 sum 3 or 6 INVENTORS F|G.| 4ROBERT E. HERRELL BY STEPHEN G.MOORE (WA {k1 i ATTORNEY.

PATENTED S 3.685.253 saw u or 6 FIG.|2

v INVENTORS ROBERT E. HERRELL Y STEPHENG. MOORE ATTORNEY.

P'ATENTED M1922 I972 FIG.I 3

SHEET 5 BF 6 INVENTORS ROBERT E. HERRELL BY STEPHEN GMOORE ATTORNEY.

rmmcnmzz m2 3.685253 saw s are FIG. l6

. FIG. [5

INVENTORS 240 ROBERT E. HERRELL I STEPHEN G. MOORE v v F ATTORNEY.

BY' 2l5 WRAPPING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention The wrapping apparatus of the present invention findsparticular use in the automatic wrapping of panels of insulation boardwhich had been heretofore wrapped by hand or by more complex machinery.While the specific use is described, the apparatus can be used to wrapother units which are in the form of rectangular,

four-sided stacks.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art consists mainly of eithermanual wrapping of stacks of panels or long multi-stage wrappingmachines. Hand wrapping by a crew of men is a slow, costly andinefficient operation. The finished package is not usually as tight andneat as desired.

In the wrapping of stacks of panels by machine, the prior art comprisesmachines with multiple stages,-at each of which a folding or gluingoperation takes place. The stack of panels progresses by conveyormechanism from one stage to another as each separate folding and gluingoperation is performed. Such machinery is very costly and occupies alarge amount of valuable floor area in a plant. Furthermore, suchmachinery usually has a large number of moving parts, thus presentingmaintenance and repair problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a wrapping apparatuscomprising a partially wrapped package receiving station which hasmechanisms operating in a sequential manner to completely wrap thepackage and discharge the wrapped package. The apparatus is designed tobe simple with a few moving parts. In addition, the apparatus hasprovisions for adjustments to accommodate stacks of panels of differentheights. The apparatus wraps panels at a rate of three per minute.

It is an object of the present invention .to provide a novel wrappingapparatus which completely wraps a package without multiple operatingstations.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novelwrapping apparatus which operates sequentially to form a tight, neatpackage.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a novelwrapping apparatus which can wrap packages in a fast, efficient manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novelwrapping apparatus which occupies a minimum amount of floor area.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will occur tothose skilled in the art when the following description is considered inconjunction with the attached drawings, in which like numbers indicatelike elements and in which:

FIGS. 1 8 are schematic views showing progressive steps of the packageas it is formed by the apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the completely wrapped package;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the wrapping apparatus of the inventionwith a stack receiving table and a paper holder;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the wrapping apparatus of FIG. 10 less thestack receiving table and the paper holder;

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the wrapping apparatus of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a right side elevationof the apparatus of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the wrapping apparatustaken along line 14-14 of FIG. 1 1;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG.11, similar to FIG. 14 but with a bottom flap being folded up; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the apparatus with a modified paper feedmechanism.

For convenience in understanding the operation of the apparatus and thesteps in which the package is wrapped, reference will be made to FIGS. 18 as appropriate.

For a description of the apparatus reference is made to FIG. 10 in whichthe wrapping apparatus 20, is shown to the right of a paper holder 21and a stacking table 22.

The stacking table 22 comprises an upper open frame 27 with supportinglegs 28. A series of idler rolls 30 are mounted in the open frame 27.Rolls 30 are journalled for rotation to receive the stack of panels froma prior forming apparatus (not shown). The actual manufacturing processfor the panels is not part of this invention and will not be describedin detail except to say that the panels are conventionally formed ofmineral fibers with a synthetic therrnosetting binder. Obviously, othertypes of panels can be wrapped. The panels are in the form of flatsheets, usually about one-half inch thick and about 2 feet by 4 feet inwidth and length. The stack usually contains about eight panels of aboutone-half inch in thickness, for a total thickness of 4 inches.

The tops of the rolls 30 are coplanar with each other and with a guideplate 31. A stop plate 33 is provided to aid in aligning the panels in arectangular stack. A push plate 35 is attached to the plunger arm 37 ofan air cylinder 39-which in turn is mounted on a support frame 41secured to frame 27. The various plates, legs and other parts of thestackingtable 22 are connected by bolts or welds in the conventionalmanner. Air cylinder 39 which may be a double acting cylinder isoperated by a conventional source of air, and plunger arm 37 may beretraced in the conventional manner (not shown).

The function of stacking table 22 is to receive the stack of panels,align it and push the stack into the wrapping machine 20.

Interposed between the stacking table 22 and the wrapping machine 20 isa paper holder 21. In its simplest form paper holder 21 comprises arectangular frame comprising a pair of spaced grilles 44 and 45 with topand bottom split rails 47 and 48, respectively. A series of spaced rodsor guide bars 50 extend from top rail 47 to rail 48. A pair of outsideupright frame end pieces 51 and 52 extend from top to bottom of frame 40and hold together grilles 44 and 45 above an opening 53. A similar pairof grilles 54 and 55 form a leading edges and 60a of stack 58. The bight59 of the paper 57 is centrally located along the leading edges 60 and60a of the stack 58, and the free ends 62 and 63 of the sheet 57 extendbeyond the trailing edges 65 and 65a of stack 58.

FIG. 2 shows two positions of sheet 57 as it passes through paper holder21 into wrapping machine 20. Sheet 57 (in dotted outline) symmetricallyfolds over stack 58; while in its final position in wrapping machine 20,sheet 57 is shown in solid lines with ends 62 and 63 extending beyondthe trailing edges of stack 58. The length and width of sheet 57 arepreselected so that ends 62 and 63 each extend outwardly only a distanceequal to more than half the height of the stack and less than the fullheight of the stack.

As will become apparent later portions of the central area of sheet 57are tucked in against the sides of stack 58 at its leading edges 60 and60a by folding shoes 71 and 72 (shown in FIG. 10). Flaps 73 and 74 areformed by this folding operation.

Reference may now be made to FIGS. 10 13 for perspective and variousplan and elevational views of the wrapping apparatus 20. As previouslyindicated, to keep the description as simple and clear as possible, the

framework and other purely structural details will not.

be referred to in detail.

Wrapping apparatus 20 comprises a plate or bed on which a series ofpower driven rollers 82 are journalled for rotation by conventionalpillow blocks 85. An electric motor 89 provides power over a chain belt90 to drive rollers 82 which are connected to each other by a belt andpulley system 91 Rollers 82 receive the stack 58, as shown in FIG. 2,with paper 57 partially enfolding it. The leading edge 95 of each roller82 is bevelled to provide a path for the stack 58 to move over and notbe blocked by the edge of rollers 82. Rollers 82 are rotated in unisonto push the completely wrapped package out of the wrapping apparatusupon completion of the operation. Rollers 82 form a bed upon which thestack 58 rests as the wrapping function of the apparatus is carried out.

Spaced from the rollers 82 at a distance about that of the thickness ofthe stack is a top press plate which pivots about an axis formed bysupport brackets 102 and a rod 104. Rod 104 is held by mounting brackets105 which are in turn connected to a carriage 110. Carriage has a pairof wheel assemblies 112 and 113 bolted thereto and arranged to ride intracks 115 and 116 of main upright support pillars 120 and 121. A heightadjusting gear mechanism with an operating crank handle 126' isconnected to carriage 110 to provide for an adjustment of the size ofthe opening between the top of rollers 82 and the press plate 100.- Thusstacks of varying thickness can be accommodated.

An upright support bracket 128 is welded or otherwise secured tocarriage 110 about midway between support pillars 120 and 121.

To control the pivotal action of press plate 100 is a piston and rodassembly 130 connected at one end to support bracket 128 and at itsother end to press plate 100 at a point on top of and near the frontedge of press plate 100. The connections are in the form of bifurcatedpivotal connectors 131 and 132. A fine leveling adjustment can be madeby means of a double threaded coupling 135.

By means of piston and rod assembly 130, press plate 100 can be raisedby a pivotal action to make room to receive the stack 58, and then belowered to keep the top sheet of paper tightly against the upper surfaceof the stack.

At the front edge and at the two side edges of press plate 100 aremounted folding shoes 140, 141 and 142 respectively. Each of thesefolding shoes is controlled by its own piston and rod assembly 145, 146and 147 respectively. Since the operation of these folding shoes isessentially identical for all shoes, although in a different sequence,the structure and operation of only one will be considered in detail.Reference may be had to FIG. 14 for a detailed description of foldingshoe 140.

Folding shoe is made in the form of a partial cylinder of a lengthapproximating the width of the press plate 100. Along spaced intervalsinside the curved surface and near one edge of shoe 140 are fingers 150which are connected to brackets 151 by rods or bolts 153. Brackets 151are welded or otherwise affixed to the top of press plate 100. Ifdesired brackets 151 can be bifurcated with fingers 150 inserted betweenthe spaced bifurcation elements. A control rod is pivotally connected toa finger 161 connected on the outside surface of shoe 140 and so spacedfrom internal finger 150 that movement of the control rod 160 rotatesshoe 140 around finger 150 and holds shoe 140 in a series of positionsfrom fully retracted above press plate 100 to a lowered position wherethe lower edge of shoe 140 can fold the trailing edge of the paper sheet58 against the trailing edge of stack 58. Control rod 160 is connectedto piston and rod assembly 145 at a connecting linkage 172.

As can be easily appreciated, the controlled movements of piston and rodassemblies in proper sequence will control the folding action of the topflaps of the paper along the top edges of the stack 58. Along the edgesof the wrapping apparatus is a pair of double acting cylinders and 181.Flap forming shoes 71 and 72 at the front of the apparatus and flapfolding shoes and 191 at the rear of the apparatus are connected to theoperating pistons 192, 193, 194 and 195 respectively of the cylinders180 and 181 by means of bolts 200 203 and upstanding channel sections205 208.

As cylinder 180 operates, its respective piston rods 193 and 195 moveoutwardly or are retracted and the flap forming shoes 72 and 191 arecorrespondingly moved away from or toward cylinder 180 as controlled. Asimilar action occurs with flap forming shoes 71 and 190 along the otheredge of the apparatus.

To fold the lower ends and edges of the paper over the upper flap, aseries of rollers 210 212 are operatively connected at the front and twosides respectively of the apparatus by means of power cylinders 215 217,respectively. The cylinders 215 217 are connected to the support framemembers of the apparatus by height adjusting brackets 220 222. Adjustingscrews 225 227 provide for vertical adjustment of the pistons 215 217.

In proper operating sequence the rollers 210 212 are raised by thepistons 230 232 of power cylinders 215 4 217, respectively, to fold upthe lower end and edges of the-sheet. Tension springs 235 237 areconnected to collars 240 242 at the upper ends of pistons 215 217 tohold rollers 210 212against the stack as they are raised to fold up thepaper flaps.

Spray nozzles in groups 250 252 are mounted to spray glue or adhesiveagainst the upper surfaces of the lower outward extensions 63 and 300 ofpaper sheet 57 before they are folded against the outer faces of theupper extensions 62 and 295 of the paper sheet 57 after the latter arefolded against the sides of stack 58 by folding shoes 140 142. Asuitable supply source of glue is connected to the nozzles andcontrolled by a timing sequencing unit.

An improved paper feed apparatus is shown in FIG. 16 where ahorizontal-shelf 260 supported on posts 261 and 262 holds a stack ofsheets 57 of wrapping paper. A chute 265 guides the sheets '57 as theyare fed by hand one at a time downwardly into the paper holder 21'.

After the description of the various individual components of theapparatus of the invention, the opera-' tional sequence will now bedescribed. The various functions can be controlled either by asequential timing mechanism or by limit switches which control anelectrically activated'control system. The sequential timing mechanismcan be patterned after one which controls the operation of a washingmachine in that a constant speed timing control rod is made to rotateupon start of the mechanism. A threaded cam rides along the threadedcontrol rod and closes relay contacts as it proceeds along the rod. Thevarious air sources for the cylinders and the spray nozzles areenergized in proper sequence and the electrical motor 89 is alsoenergized in proper sequence.

The use of limit switches and their placement will will be clear to oneskilled in the art.

To simplify the drawings and the explanation, the specific electricaland air control devices are neither shown now described in detail.

Before operating the wrapping apparatus, the height of the press plate100 by means of adjusting mechanism 125, and the rollers 210-212 bymeans of adjusting units 225-227 is established to accommodate a stack58 of preselected thickness. The adjustments need not be changed unlessa stack 58 of a different thickness is selected.

The stack 58 (FIG. 1) is conveyed onto rollers 30 of stacking table 22.Stack 58 is aligned by stop plate 35. Air cylinder 39 is energizedeither manually or by an automatic switch means and moves forward topush stack 58 into the opening 53 of the paper holder 21. As stack 58transverses opening 53, it strikes the central area of wrapping sheet 57which has previously been stretched from the top to the bottom ofrectangular frame 40. As stack 58 further progresses through frame 40,it enters into the wrapping apparatus 20.

At this time, the leading edge of stack 58 is covered by bight 59 of thepaper sheet 57, and a first fold 70 is formed by leading shoe 72.Because the paper sheet 57 extends outwardly beyond the sides of stack58, shoe 72 folds bight 59 against the side of stack 58 and leaves folds73 and 74 prepared for further operations. Since the wrapping machine issymetrical a similar fold is formed at the other side of the leadingedge of the stack (not shown).

Press-plate 100 has been raised slightly by means of cylinder 130 sothat the stack 58 with its partial wrapping of paper 57 can easily enterthe wrapping apparatus 20. The lower surface of portion 63 of sheet 57rides over the bevelled leading edge 95 of rollers 82.

Stack 58 is pushed onto the rollers 82 a distance such that its rearedge is approximately in alignment with the outer edge of press plate100. Press plate 100 is then lowered to hold the sheet 57 tightlyagainst the upper and lower faces of stack 58.

Since press plate 100 is pivoted about an axis formed by rod 104 alongits edge remote from its open edge,

- there is a slight incline from open edge to rear edge and leading edgeand sides of stack 58, partially enveloping the stack. The major flatportions of sheet 57 lies against the large flat top and bottom areas ofstack 57 with the trailing ends 62 and 63 extending freely beyond therear edge 65 of stack 58.

Piston and rod assembly is energized to move control rod forward. As canbe seen in FIG. 15,

forward movement of control rod 160 causes the edge of folding-shoe 140to pivot around the axis formed by fingers 151 and rod 153. Leading edge170 of folding shoe 140 bends end 62 of sheet 57 over upper trailingedge 65 of the stack 58 and forces, it against the trailing portion ofthe stack 58.

While the trailing end 62 of sheet 57 is held in place against the rearedge of stack 58, glue or other adhesive is squirted through nozzles 250against the upper face of lower end 63 which extends outwardly beyondthe lower edge 65 of stack 58. A thin coating of glue is applied overthis upper surface in this manner.

Roller 210 is raised by the action of piston 215 and rod 230 to pushflap 63 upwardly around lower edge 65a of stack 58 and against the outerface of upper end 62. The film of glue on the upper face of end 63 holdsthe two ends tightly together. At the time folding shoe 140 and roller210 cooperate to hold the two ends 62 and 63 of sheet 57 in overlappingrelationship against the trailing edge of stack 58 with a layer of gluebetween the ends. A spring 236 holds roller 210 tightly against theouter surface of end 63. FIG. 4 shows the package as now partiallywrapped.

The four folding shoes 71, 72, and 191 are then brought into play tofold the outer edges of the sheet 57 into the configuration shown inFIG. 5. Thus, piston 181 (at the right of FIG. 11) is operated to moverods 192 and 194 toward each other and consequently move shoes 71 and190 toward the center of the stack 58. As these shoes move from theiroutermost positions, to areas inwardly of the side edges of stack 58they form the flaps 73, 74, 290 and 291 shown in FIG. 5. As more clearlyshown in FIGS. 10 and 14, the flap forming shoes 71, 72, 190 and 191have generally tn'angularly shaped edges with a blunt nose. The heightof the shoes is about that of the stack 58 so that as they move towardeach other they form the flaps with an intermediate portion 70 of sheet58 lying flat against stack 58. It will be understood that while onlythe fold along one side of stack 58 has been shown in detail, the otherside of stack 58 has similar folds at its corners.

With the corners of stack 58 now covered by the action of the foldingshoes 71, 72, 190 and 191, the upper outwardly extending side ends 295are folded downwardly over the upper side edge of stack 58 by non! sidefolding shoes 141 and 142. In the manner described in detail withrespect to the front folding shoe 140, side folding shoes are sooperated their respective operating piston and rod assemblies 146 and147, respectively, push their control rods outwardly to pivot shoes 141and 142 around their respective axes and thus fold edges 295 and upperflaps 73 and 290 over the upper portions of the sides of stack 58.

Shoes 71, 72, 190 and 191 are moved outwardly by operation of piston androd assemblies 180 and 181.

Glue or adhesive is sprayed on the upper surface of the lower extendingside portion of paper sheet 57 through nozzles 251 spaced along thesides of the apparatus. After the application of the glue, rollers 211and 212 are moved upwardly by operation of pistons and rod assemblies216 and 217, and 231 and 232, respectively. Upward movement of therollers 211 and 212 causes the outwardly extending side portion 300 ofpaper sheet 57 to fold upwardly along the lower edge of stack 58 and lieagainst the outer face of the upper side portion of paper sheet 57 whichhas previously been folded against stack 58. The adhesive film liesbetween portions 295 and 300.

After allowing a few seconds for the glue to set, all of the pistonscontrolling the folding shoes 140, 141 and 142; namely, pistons 145, 146and !47, and the pistons controlling the rollers 210, 211 and 212;namely, pistons 215, 216 and 217 are retracted to return the foldingshoes and the rollers to their initial positions.

Stack 58 has now been fully wrapped and the folding shoes and rollershave been retracted and are out of the way. Upper press plate 100 ispivotally raised by means of cylinder 130 to release the pressure on thepackage. Motor 89 is now energized to drive rollers 82 which eject thepackage 310 (FIG. 9) from the wrapping apparatus and make it availablefor further handling, labelling and shipment. v

During the operation of the wrapping machine 20, cylinder 39 has beenrestored to its retracted position to move pusher plate 35 to itsoutward position. Also during the wrapping operation, the operatorhas'placed a new sheet of paper in paper holder 21. Thus, the entiremechanism is ready for another stack to be wrapped.

In summary, the operation of the complete wrapping machine comprises afirst stacking portion, a paper holder and a wrapping apparatus whichreceives a partially enclosed stack of material and completes wrappingwithout the movement of the stack to different locations. The wrappingapparatus comprises a folding means attached to said receiving andholding means for folding portions of said paper sheet downwardly andpartially around the sides of said stack, second folding. means attachedto said receiving means for folding the forward and rearward corneredges of said sheet partially around said stack, third folding meansattached to said receiving means for folding portions of said papersheet upwardly against and in overlapping relation with respect to saiddownwardly folded portions and adhesive application means for applyingadhesive to the surface of at least one of said overlapped sheets priorto said overlapping fold.

2. A wrapping machine for wrapping a stack of materials as recited inclaim 1 in which said means for partially enfolding the stack in a sheetof paper comprises a stack receiving means and a paper holder, saidstack receiving means having a pusher means for pushing said stackthrough said paper holder and into said stack receiving and holdingmeans.

3. A wrapping machine for wrapping a stack of materials, as recited inclaim 1, in which said paper holder comprises a vertical frame andspaced guide bars held in said frame for frictionally holding a sheet ofpaper, said frame being positioned so that the central area of the paperis adapted to be aligned with the central area of said stack.

4. A wrapping machine as recited in claim 1, in which said first foldingmeans comprises elongated partial cylinders in pivotal connection withsaid holding means along the outer edges of said holding means.

5. A wrapping machine as recited in claim 1, in which said secondfolding means comprises horizontally reciprocal shoes aligned to move ina plane adjacent the sides of the stack from a position outside thestack to a position alongside the stack.

6. A wrapping machine for wrapping a stack of materials as recited inclaim 1 in which said wrapping apparatus further has a bed of rollersfor supporting said stack during the wrapping operation and for ejectingsaid stack from the wrapping apparatus upon completion of the wrappingoperation said rollers having bevelled leading ends to guide saidpartially wrapped stack into said receiving and holding means.

7. A wrapping machine for wrapping a rectangular stack of materials witha paper sheet comprising a stacking table, a paper holder adjacent oneside of said stacking table and a wrapping'apparatus located at the sideof the paper holder opposite that of said stacking partially wrappedstack holder, folding shoes and rollers which sequentially operate toform the wrapped package and glue applicators to apply a film ofadhesive which secures the package in final wrapped form.

We claim:

1. A wrapping machine for wrapping a stack of materials having apreselected length and width comprising a first means for partiallyenfolding the stack in a sheet of paper, means for receiving said stackwith said sheet being folded only against the leading edge and the topand bottom sides of said stack and for holding said stack in a fixedposition during the remainder of the wrapping cycle; said receiving andholding means being of substantially the same length and width as saidpreselected length and width of said stack, first table, said stackingtable having a device mounted thereon for pushing said stack throughsaid paper holder to partially envelope said stack in said paper sheetand further into said wrapping apparatus, said wrapping apparatuscomprising a frame, a top press plate pivotally mounted on said frame tohold said partially enveloped stack, means mounted on said plate forfolding upper portions of said paper sheet downwardly against sides ofsaid stack, flap folding means being mounted on said frame forhorizontal movement and adapted to form flaps of said paper sheet ateach corner of said stack, means mounted on said frame below said stackand being upwardly moveable for folding lower portions of said sheet inoverlapping relation with respect to said upper portions of said sheetand adhesive application means to apply a film of adhesive to thesurfaces of at least one of said overlapped sheets prior to saidoverlapping fold.

8. A wrapping machine comprising a stack receiving means, a paperholding means adjacent said stack receiving means and a wrappingapparatus in alignment with said paper holding means and located on theside of said paper holding means oppositesaid stack receiving means,

said stack receiving means comprising a frame, roll journalled withinsaid frame and being coplanar to receive a stack of materials, pushermeans mounted along one edge of said frame for pushing said stack offsaid roll in the direction of said paper holding means and said wrappingmeans,

said paper holding means comprising a vertical frame with spaced guidebars adapted to hold a sheet of paper with the center of the sheet beingaligned with the center of the stack, said paper holding means having anopening aligned with said coplanar rollers through which said stack ispushed,

said wrapping apparatus having a stack supporting means and a pivotallysupported top press plate for holding said stack immobile during theremainder of the wrapping operation,

said wrapping apparatus further having pivotally operated folding shoesfor folding portions of the sheet of paper around the upper portions ofsaid stack, horizontally moveable folding shoes for folding the comeredges of said paper around said stack and vertically operated rollersmounted below the level of said horizontally moveable folding shoes tofold bottom portions of said sheet in overlapping relation with respectto said upper folded portions of said sheet of paper, and adhesiveapplication means located peripherally of said wrapping means forapplying adhesive to selected areas of said paper before saidoverlapping folding operation.

9. A wrapping apparatus for wrapping a rectangular stack of materialwhich stack of material is partially envelop'ed by sheet of paper, whichsheet is in. contact with and covers the top and bottom surfaces and oneend of the stack with the sides and free ends of the paper extendingoutwardly from the open end and sides of the stack respectively,comprising a series of coplanar rollers adapted to receive saidpartially wrapped stack, a top press plate pivotally supported apre-selected distance above said base portion, means pivotally mountedalong a top edge of said platform for folding a top trailing edge ofsaid sheet over an area of more than one-half of the area of said openend, applicator means mounted so as to apply a film of adhesive on theupper face of the lower trailing edge of said paper, means for movingsaid lower trailing edge of said sheet into overlapping engagement withsaid top trailing edge of said sheet, shoe means mounted for horizontalmovement to form flaps of said paper at the vertical corners of saidstack, further means pivotally mounted on said plate and adapted to foldupper side extensions of said paper sheet against sides of said stack,upwardly acting means adapted to fold the lower side extension of saidupwardly in overlapping relationship with respect to said downwardlyfolded upper side extensi us of s 'd a er sh et d adhesive a lic tionmeans or appl yinga iilm 0 ad esive to surfa s of said lower extensions.

10. A wrapping machine for wrapping a rectangular stack of materials asrecited in claim 7, in which said top press plate is mounted on a trackand adapted for vertical adjustment to accommodate stacks of differentthicknesses.

1. A wrapping machine for wrapping a stack of materials having apreselected length and width comprising a first means for partiallyenfolding the stack in a sheet of paper, means for receiving said stackwith saId sheet being folded only against the leading edge and the topand bottom sides of said stack and for holding said stack in a fixedposition during the remainder of the wrapping cycle; said receiving andholding means being of substantially the same length and width as saidpreselected length and width of said stack, first folding means attachedto said receiving and holding means for folding portions of said papersheet downwardly and partially around the sides of said stack, secondfolding means attached to said receiving means for folding the forwardand rearward corner edges of said sheet partially around said stack,third folding means attached to said receiving means for foldingportions of said paper sheet upwardly against and in overlappingrelation with respect to said downwardly folded portions and adhesiveapplication means for applying adhesive to the surface of at least oneof said overlapped sheets prior to said overlapping fold.
 2. A wrappingmachine for wrapping a stack of materials as recited in claim 1 in whichsaid means for partially enfolding the stack in a sheet of papercomprises a stack receiving means and a paper holder, said stackreceiving means having a pusher means for pushing said stack throughsaid paper holder and into said stack receiving and holding means.
 3. Awrapping machine for wrapping a stack of materials, as recited in claim1, in which said paper holder comprises a vertical frame and spacedguide bars held in said frame for frictionally holding a sheet of paper,said frame being positioned so that the central area of the paper isadapted to be aligned with the central area of said stack.
 4. A wrappingmachine as recited in claim 1, in which said first folding meanscomprises elongated partial cylinders in pivotal connection with saidholding means along the outer edges of said holding means.
 5. A wrappingmachine as recited in claim 1, in which said second folding meanscomprises horizontally reciprocal shoes aligned to move in a planeadjacent the sides of the stack from a position outside the stack to aposition alongside the stack.
 6. A wrapping machine for wrapping a stackof materials as recited in claim 1 in which said wrapping apparatusfurther has a bed of rollers for supporting said stack during thewrapping operation and for ejecting said stack from the wrappingapparatus upon completion of the wrapping operation said rollers havingbevelled leading ends to guide said partially wrapped stack into saidreceiving and holding means.
 7. A wrapping machine for wrapping arectangular stack of materials with a paper sheet comprising a stackingtable, a paper holder adjacent one side of said stacking table and awrapping apparatus located at the side of the paper holder opposite thatof said stacking table, said stacking table having a device mountedthereon for pushing said stack through said paper holder to partiallyenvelope said stack in said paper sheet and further into said wrappingapparatus, said wrapping apparatus comprising a frame, a top press platepivotally mounted on said frame to hold said partially enveloped stack,means mounted on said plate for folding upper portions of said papersheet downwardly against sides of said stack, flap folding means beingmounted on said frame for horizontal movement and adapted to form flapsof said paper sheet at each corner of said stack, means mounted on saidframe below said stack and being upwardly moveable for folding lowerportions of said sheet in overlapping relation with respect to saidupper portions of said sheet and adhesive application means to apply afilm of adhesive to the surfaces of at least one of said overlappedsheets prior to said overlapping fold.
 8. A wrapping machine comprisinga stack receiving means, a paper holding means adjacent said stackreceiving means and a wrapping apparatus in alignment with said paperholding means and located on the side of said paper holding meansopposite said stack receiving means, said stack receiving meanscomprising a frame, roll journalled within said frame and being coplanarto receive a stack of materials, pusher means mounted along one edge ofsaid frame for pushing said stack off said roll in the direction of saidpaper holding means and said wrapping means, said paper holding meanscomprising a vertical frame with spaced guide bars adapted to hold asheet of paper with the center of the sheet being aligned with thecenter of the stack, said paper holding means having an opening alignedwith said coplanar rollers through which said stack is pushed, saidwrapping apparatus having a stack supporting means and a pivotallysupported top press plate for holding said stack immobile during theremainder of the wrapping operation, said wrapping apparatus furtherhaving pivotally operated folding shoes for folding portions of thesheet of paper around the upper portions of said stack, horizontallymoveable folding shoes for folding the corner edges of said paper aroundsaid stack and vertically operated rollers mounted below the level ofsaid horizontally moveable folding shoes to fold bottom portions of saidsheet in overlapping relation with respect to said upper folded portionsof said sheet of paper, and adhesive application means locatedperipherally of said wrapping means for applying adhesive to selectedareas of said paper before said overlapping folding operation.
 9. Awrapping apparatus for wrapping a rectangular stack of material whichstack of material is partially enveloped by sheet of paper, which sheetis in contact with and covers the top and bottom surfaces and one end ofthe stack with the sides and free ends of the paper extending outwardlyfrom the open end and sides of the stack respectively, comprising aseries of coplanar rollers adapted to receive said partially wrappedstack, a top press plate pivotally supported a pre-selected distanceabove said base portion, means pivotally mounted along a top edge ofsaid platform for folding a top trailing edge of said sheet over an areaof more than one-half of the area of said open end, applicator meansmounted so as to apply a film of adhesive on the upper face of the lowertrailing edge of said paper, means for moving said lower trailing edgeof said sheet into overlapping engagement with said top trailing edge ofsaid sheet, shoe means mounted for horizontal movement to form flaps ofsaid paper at the vertical corners of said stack, further meanspivotally mounted on said plate and adapted to fold upper sideextensions of said paper sheet against sides of said stack, upwardlyacting means adapted to fold the lower side extension of said upwardlyin overlapping relationship with respect to said downwardly folded upperside extensions of said paper sheet and adhesive application means forapplying a film of adhesive to surfaces of said lower extensions.
 10. Awrapping machine for wrapping a rectangular stack of materials asrecited in claim 7, in which said top press plate is mounted on a trackand adapted for vertical adjustment to accommodate stacks of differentthicknesses.